Keeping it Peppy

POV:

You’re in the stands at a Penn State Altoona home men’s basketball game. You’re on your feet, clapping and cheering. Suddenly, you hear music, and ... is it ... is that Flo-Rida? Lyrics come to your brain: “Apple bottom jeanssss, boots with the furrrr, the whole club was lookin’ at her ...” Yes, yes, it is Flo-Rida’s smash hit “Low,” and it’s being played live. By a pep band.

You didn’t even know Penn State Altoona had a pep band. But they sound awesome, and now you’re singing along, caught up in the fervor.

MUSIC 79, or pep band, has been a registered class at the college for at least twenty years, worth one credit, and open to any interested student.

But for those who took the class last semester, that single credit barely mattered. What did matter was learning, feeling, and playing music together. And not just any music but the stuff that’s going the vibrate off gymnasium walls, that will get a crowd excited, that will pump up the athletes.

This semester, twelve students were members of the pep band, most of them in their second and third semesters of playing. Many of them had been involved in marching and/or concert band in high school and wanted to continue playing music and engaging in similar experiences.

Blaine Davidson and his alto saxophone. Davidson is studying electro-mechanical engineering.

Credit: Marissa Carney

Blane Davidson loved being in his high school’s marching band, and as soon as he found out about Penn State Altoona’s pep band, he knew he wanted to be a part of it. “It was definitely a benefit to enrolling here for me. I come from a small high school, so I'm used to playing in a small band. I really enjoy the opportunity to keep playing in a similar environment. And we’re a pretty tight knit group, so that’s a bonus.”

Maddie Gooch is a mallet percussionist. She wanted to do something like the Blue Band during her college career but on a smaller scale, so she was grateful to find her place in the pep band. She says she feels like she can be herself when she’s with the other members. “I am so comfortable around everyone. It’s a fun group to play with, and it’s been easy to connect with them and have a good time.”

The size of the band varies each semester, but it’s typically between fifteen and twenty members. Students meet Thursday evenings with Josh Hillard, part-time music instructor at Penn State Altoona, to learn and rehearse pieces ranging from the big band era to 60s, 70s, and today. Each member is also expected to practice on their own.

“Music has always been my life’s passion so directing and playing with the band is just an extension of that passion,” says Hillard. “It really is fun for me to be involved.”

The band plays about ten home men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball games each semester.

“Before we start, I always get nervous because I think I'm going to screw up,” says Alli Snyder, who plays the mellophone. “But I don’t, and then I get this feeling of exhilaration and want to keep playing. It's a very fun experience.”

Alli Snyder began playing the mellophone in ninth grade. She is studying secondary education.

Credit: Marissa Carney

Liam Walters is from Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania. His high school didn’t have a pep band, so he wasn’t sure what to expect from joining Penn State Altoona’s. But he wanted to keep up with his hobby, so he took a chance. He met new people, learned new music, and quickly fell in love with all of it.

“It's unlike any other experience you can have at a game. You can be a spectator enjoying everything but being part of the group responsible for motivating the crowd and the team is something different altogether. It's more exhilarating than just being on the sidelines or in the stands.”

For Alexander Pool, joining the band helped save his musical career. “Multiple times throughout my life, I wanted to step away from music because it felt forced on me, rather than my own decision.” But through the band, he met new and interesting people. He felt comfortable in the environment and found his love of music rejuvenated. “It fuels my desire to play music by choice, and because of pep band, I got into the guitar which led to getting into piano. One thing just led to all these new musical avenues.”

Alexander Pool plays the piston trombone for the Penn State Altoona pep band. He is studying digital media arts and technology.

Credit: Marissa Carney

While being in the pep band gives members their own sense of joy and satisfaction, they also have a job to do—and they take it seriously.

“I love performing for the crowd and adding to the atmosphere of the games,” says Ethan Ruth, who plays the drums. “Nothing compares to live music. I like to believe that we bring that extra oomph, that nice vibe that you can't really get with recorded music.”

The work and talent of pep band members does not go unnoticed. “Both the Athletics and Recreation Departments value how the pep band entertains, promotes school spirit, and creates a fun atmosphere,” says John Carey, director of Recreation and Athletic Facilities. “They give our varsity athletic teams a clear home court advantage and can be a true difference maker by motivating them.”

Coaches agree that the band plays a key role in team success and the energy they bring into the gym is contagious.

"Our volleyball teams love it when the pep band performs at our home matches. It adds to the excitement,” says Bob Kasun, head men's and women's volleyball coach. “It’s something unique to Penn State Altoona because we rarely see pep bands when we go on road matches. We appreciate all they add to the environment."

Davidson says that after games the band didn’t play at, he’s occasionally gotten emails from athletes and staff with messages like ‘we missed you’ or ‘I hope you’ll be at the next one.’ He says it’s affirming to receive such recognition. “It feels great. It means that we're doing our job and making a positive impact.”

Hillard says he is working to add Penn State Altoona club hockey games to the band’s circuit, both in Altoona and State College. He’d also like to see the band become a more well-known entity on campus, and current members agree.

Students would like to be included in game advertising and have more funding available for things like equipment.

In the meantime, Ruth is enjoying every moment and every note. “I just love the community. Whenever we're all together connecting and performing music, it’s so fulfilling. It’s something you can't really get anywhere else.”